What is The Best Cadillac of the 1940's? and Why

[BJM]

Subjective I know, but looking for a discussion of the best overall Cadillac model, year, why from 1940 to 1949.

[35-709]

Many consider the '41 Cadillacs to be THE Cadillac's of the '40's.  Also the '48/'49 Sedanettes are very popular, with the '49 having the edge because it was the first year for the overhead valve engine.  It is really in the eyes of the beholder.

[Doug Houston]

This is one of those things that's so subjective, that there will probably be 1,000 replies, and no two will be the same.

[Otto Skorzeny]

best looking? 1941 Sixty Special

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

1940 Series 90.   What other 1940 car has two carburetors, two fuel pumps, two water pumps, two distributors, two fan belts, sixteen cylinders and 185 horsepower?

[Doug Houston]

This promises to be very interesting. You might cite the later engine, which went to 3 ring pistons, narrower timing sprockets and chain, which was done to make the engine more responsive. That would all have been done for the '46 models. Redesigned crankshaft counterweights were sort of nice, too.

And in my favorite rant, the 46 and later Hydra-Matic transmission had it all over the 41-42 versions.

Lower rear axle ratios appeared in 1941, to help the engine work less severely on the new high speed highways. The 3.36 axle carried well through the sixties, and became standard on all Hydra-Matic cars, starting  in 1941.

The 1940 model year saw the beginning of Sealed Beam headlights on all makes of cars except one (Willys?).

So, there are lots of things that added to the cars from 1940 through 1949. It becomes a matter of which one of them pleases you the most. I've owned a 1940, 1942, 1947, 1948, and currently four 1941's. Which one did I like the best? All of them.

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

Doug's right..every 1940 La Salle and 1940-1949 Cadillac is a great car; there are no losers in that group.

[marty55cdv]

best looking? 1941 Sixty Special

I would have to agree but my judgment might be clouded since I own one !

[47bigcadillac]

In terms of body design i found the 1942-46-47  Club Coupe to be some of the most beautiful cars of the forties, with those pontoon fenders and flowing fastback rear.

I own 2 of those.

[veesixteen]

Gimme a '42 Fleetwood limousine ...right, Jeff ?!?!

[BJM]

Some of us are attracted to certain periods of auto design and technology. For me it's 46 to 1950. No matter what I do I am most interested int he cars from 1946 to 1954.  I'm 45 so it's not an age thing. I am buying a 49 Chrysler New Yorker, trying to buy a 46 Buick 2 door Sedanette and a rare 49 Kaiser Virginian (a 4 door hardtop)

I have owned a 1941 Sixty Special. I am looking at a 47 75 series. I really like the 60S for 1948-1949. I know where there is a 47 60S but I am luke warm about the styling, I don't know why. It would be more practical then buying the 47 75 series.  One thing is for sure is there are no dogs in the forties. The consistency of design is appreciated.  It's not like Harley Earl went out on a tangent with styling - almost - but he pulled it back.

[Bob Hoffmann CLC#96]

It's 1941 ALL the way. Read Schneiders book as to what he says. They got it totally RIGHT in 1941. And yes, I'm biased. LOL, Bob

[BJM]

It's 1941 ALL the way. Read Schneiders book as to what he says. They got it totally RIGHT in 1941. And yes, I'm biased. LOL, Bob

Yep, I need to get that book. Essential reading for a 40's fan. But it's hard to come by.

[Rusty Shepherd CLC 6397]

Yep, I need to get that book. Essential reading for a 40's fan. But it's hard to come by.

Until you find your own copy of  Cadillacs of the Forties , here's what Roy Schneider says in the first paragraph of his chapter on the 1941 model year entitled "A Timeless Masterpiece" :
"Esthetically, Cadillac was to 1941 what Cord was to 1937, what Duesenberg was to 1929 and what La Salle was to 1927.  So great was the fame of the 1941 Cadillac in its own time, so remarkably crisp and original its force of style, it has remained through the years one of the most cherished of American motorcars.  It was a design demonstrating amazing technical virtuosity and considerable imagination, yet its lines were not radical, unnatural or out of touch with the time.  More than any of its contemporaries it testified to the state of the art in 1941, and in so doing exerted an influence of incalculable magnitude on the future appearance of the American automobile" (not only is he a very knowledgeable Cadillac historian, he's a darned good writer, too).

[Charles D. Barnette]

OK, it is time to take a look at a 41 up close and personal to see what all the fuss is about. In our local museum, The Tex-Ark Antique Auto Museum in Texarkana, Arkansas, we have a 1941 Cadillac Series 61 Deluxe Fastback Coupe on display currently. It is owned by Dick Nelson of Louisiana. Its colors are Rivermist and Dusty Grey. Its motor is a 346 C. I. Flathead V-8. Carla will post pictures shortly of this masterpiece! Charles D. Barnette-I personally like the 48 Cadillacs, since they were the first year of the dome taillights.

[Carla Tynes]

Here is one fabulous 1941 Cadillac.

[Carla Tynes]

Here is the front interior of the fabulous 1941 Cadillac.

[Carla Tynes]

Here is the hood ornament of the fabulous 1941 Cadillac.

[Carla Tynes]

Here is the roof line from the rear of the fabulous 1941 Cadillac.

[Carla Tynes]

Here is the back seat of the fabulous 1941 Cadillac.